Clinical Research Fellow Rare Disease Genomics

University College London; Greater London; On-site; GBP 51,000 - GBP 79,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in the UK is seeking a Clinical Research Fellow to investigate the genetic causes of inherited neuromuscular diseases. Responsibilities include conducting research, attending clinical meetings, and potentially contributing to high-impact publications. The position provides an opportunity to enroll in a PhD project and is funded by a UK Medical Research Council award. This role offers a competitive salary ranging from £51,140 to £78,670 annually, and excellent benefits including 41 days of holiday and a pension scheme.

Benefits

41 Days holiday

Defined benefit pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

On-site gym

Employee assistance programme

Qualifications

• Experience in clinical neurology is required.
• Understanding of confidentiality, GDPR, and Clinical Audit experience is essential.
• Experience of working in the NHS is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Undertake a research project on inherited neuromuscular diseases.
• Participate in clinics and discuss clinical and genetic results.
• Contribute to high-impact publications.

Skills

Clinical neurology

Understanding of genetic basis of inherited diseases

Research methodology

Good Clinical Practice

Education

Registered Medical Practitioner (GMC registered)

Job description

Clinical Research Fellow (Rare Disease Genomics, ICGNMD-2)

The Department of Neuromuscular Diseases is a hub for clinical and research excellence across the spectrum of spinal cord and neuromuscular diseases. Our group of world-leading clinical, genetic and basic science researchers focus their work on understanding the causes and biological mechanisms leading to neuromuscular diseases and translating this knowledge into developing novel therapeutic solutions that is of direct benefit to neurological disorders.

The activity of the Neurogenetics Research Group (Lead, Professor Henry Houlden), based in the Department, spans all types of neurological conditions, with particular interest in multiple system atrophy (MSA), ataxia and other neuromuscular and neuro-locomotor disorders such as hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), Charcot-Marie Tooth (CMT) disease, channelopathies and myopathies such as IBM.

About the role

You will undertake a research project focused on identifying the causes of inherited neuromuscular diseases in a large and diverse research cohort. In addition to your research project, you will attend regular clinical meetings to discuss clinical and genetic results. You will also contribute to clinics where you will review patients as part of their routine clinic visit and consent them for research. This activity may include phenotyping genetically complex patients, especially those without a molecular diagnosis. You will also have opportunity to support other natural history and treatment research studies, in addition to your primary research project.

There will be the possibility of enrolling for a PhD project, and you may be able to apply your research findings to a PhD thesis, to underpin a future clinical academic career. The Institute of Neurology has a strong track record in supervising trainees through PhD and other postgraduate studies, and you will be supported to develop research interests and encouraged to contribute to high-impact publications.

An honorary contract will be sought from UCLH NHS Foundation Trust, for which a DBS check will be required.

The post is available from 30 April 2026 and is funded by a UK Medical Research Council award for one year in the first instance.

If you need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online, or have any queries regarding the application process, please contact the Institute of Neurology HR Team ([e-mail] ).

Informal enquiries regarding the role can be addressed to Centre Research Manager Dr Lindsay Wilson ([e-mail] ).

For a full job description please visit UCL’s online recruitment portal (https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/search-ucl-jobs ) and search using vacancy reference B02-10051. To apply, please upload a current CV, complete the online application form, and use the supporting statement section or upload a cover letter to outline how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role. Please do not upload any additional attachments as these will not be considered by the selection panel.

About you

You will be a Registered Medical Practitioner (GMC registered), licensed to practice in the UK, with experience in clinical neurology and a strong understanding of the genetic basis of inherited diseases. An understanding of researching methodology and research integrity, and evidence of effective research carried out under supervision is essential, as is an understanding of confidentiality/GDPR, Good Clinical Practice, the NHS clinical framework, and Clinical Audit experience. Experience of working in the NHS, and of applying American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) criteria to interpret genetic data is desirable, as is, knowledge of protocols for human tissue analysis by long read DNA analysis and RNA transcriptome analysis.

This role meets the eligibility requirements for a skilled worker certificate of sponsorship or a global talent visa under UK Visas and Immigration legislation. Therefore, UCL welcomes applications from international applicants who require a visa.

What we offer

The role is offered in the range of £51,140 - £78,670 per annum including London Allowance, on the CL, RDPS, or StR scale, dependent on NHS contract and/or stage of clinical training.

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer great benefits, some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service

We will consider applications to work on a part-time, flexible, and job share basis wherever possible.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. 12% of Institute staff are actively working on EDI initiatives; visithttps://www.ucl.ac.uk/ion/equality-diversity-inclusion for more information about what we’re doing. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce; these include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQI+ and gender diverse people in all roles, and women in Grade 9 and 10 roles.

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